A new project from Trips For Kids Denver/Boulder, Lucky Bikes Re-Cyclery is a community based retail bike shop selling used and new bicycles, parts, apparel, and service to underserved communities of Denver. This program will include a youth workforce development program and a full service retail shop that will repurpose and redistribute bicycles, equipment, and apparel in metro Denver.

Lucky Bikes Re-Cyclery will provide workforce options for low-income, culturally diverse youth and providing affordable bikes to youth, their families, and adults. The purpose is to provide children, young adults and families with affordable bicycle solutions, while training diverse youth with professional work skills in the shop. Youth will be the driving force of Lucky Bikes Re-Cyclery by training them in service and retail to be the staff employed.

A grassroots effort in the truest sense, Trips for Kids Denver/Boulder opened its doors for programming in 2004, with its signature Ride program. The early seasons were supported entirely with dedicated volunteer staff, and contributions from individuals and fundraising events.

Since 2004, with the help of a growing team of volunteers, the organization has successfully organized over 750 daylong and after-school rides, connecting more than 6,000 young people to mountain biking and the great outdoors.

In 2007, Trips for Kids Denver/Boulder expanded its efforts to offer year-round programming with the introduction of the Earn a Bike program, teaching basic bike maintenance and safe urban cycling skills. By capitalizing on the broad community support, present for cycling based programs and initiatives, TFKD/B’s Earn a Bike program has offered more than 800 youth service days and facilitated 120 Earn a Bike programs since its inception.

Shop Maestro Kimmi Ward says there is still a lot of work to be done in order to keep the wheels turning and TFKD/B has a strong need for shop volunteers, bikes that have been left behind in bike shops, unwanted parts or shop goodies, general advice, and new friends to have a beer with, share stories and give high fives to.

If you’re in the metro Denver area, stop by Lucky Bikes Re-Cyclery on April 1 for the Grand Opening at 3150 W Jewell Avenue.